i found it difficult to find a midrange option in banda aceh but saw this on agoda and thought i'd give it a go.

i was welcomed into the hotel with shining smiles and broken english. the hotel staff didn't speak much english but they really made an effort to understand me and give me the information i needed. that's all i can ever ask for. the girl even offered to take me to the bus station when i returned from pulau weh eventhough i wouldn't be staying there again. the room was clean, comfortable and the shower oh so very good!! my room had no window which was only a problem because my body clock was still impaired by jet lag and i kept waking up thinking it was a completely different time! this hotel is a good option. it's within walking distance of most places in banda aceh. i walked to the mosque, tsunami museum, thanks to the world park, generator ship. but most people would opt for a bacek driver. there are cheaper options in ba but with that, you get a lot reduced comforts.

They picked us from the airport and along the way the driver helped us with few information. Receptionist were also helpful and suggested us places to go such as salon and spa, what transport to take and all others.

Hotel is quite out of town so privacy is kept well.
the price also reasonable. i would reccomend this to friends.

The hotel is close to major attractive spot, we can take the becak to anywhere. The staff are very friendly, they provide the car to send us to the port and airport, is free of charge! The breakfast is nasi lemak, very delicious.

My room (Superior) was very clean. The staff were very friendly and helpful even though English is not widely spoken/understood.

There is a young lady that speaks fluent English though.
It's a bit far from the centre of town (about 30 minutes walking) but you can easily take cheap transportation from and to the hotel.
There are supermarkets and many places to eat right next to the hotel.
When I checked out, the hotel provided me with free transportation to the harbour (free transportation to the airport is also available).
I would definitely stay at the Mars Hotel again.

The receptionist simply ignored us and entertain other guests when we question about their elevators that broke down.

I brought my two grandmothers who are over 80 years old and our rooms are at the third floor so elevators are essential to us. But without any assurance or estimated time until the elevators get fixed the receptionist simply ignored us. From our interactions later on we learnt that the receptionist is actually a decent person however the professionalism displayed is simply a let down.

very helpful staff who go above and beyond to make your stay as pleasant as possible , great for a stay over , no English channels on the tvs but if you there for the an over nighter , that's no biggie - free wifi for YouTube n such .

What a great hotel! This hotel is very beautiful. I had a spectacular night watching sunset in this hotel.

The food was great. The breakfast was good. The fried oxtail soup tasted so great. Diving in Sabang is also a must. This hotel can organize your diving trip professionally. Overall I really enjoyed my staying. I will come back here again for sure!

We had a very relaxing time at Casa Nemo, the location is wonderful with a gorgeous view. The food at the restaurant and bar was varied and very good quality and taste.

I have to say the thing that made you appreciate how wonderful the place is....was the staff. The staff goes beyond accommodating to make your visit as nice as possible and what you want. Due to weather we had a couple cloudy days and decided last minute we wanted to do something, they arranged for a private taxi and really nice driver to show us the island along with snorkeling for a couple hours and let us set the pace for 8 hours, at a very reasonable price. Again the staff was so nice! I loved all the women who worked there, I left feeling like I was leaving family! I had problems getting air tickets, they took care of it. I would highly recommend Casa Nemo and hope to return!

fikri (owner) & lil' john (the best becak driver) are awesome! they made my stay very pleasant and welcomed.

crystall guesthouse is a simple and humble place. located just outside town, it's cozy and quiet. clean room, clean toilets. good, cheap foodstalls just outside. kopi aceh right next door. and it is only 5km away from ulee lheu jetty (for those heading to pulau weh the next day)!

While location is not easily accessible, particularly if you carry luggage, Iboih Inn will pick you up from the dock at the village by boat, which adds a special touch to this wonderful experience.

The snorkeling equipment is top quality, the rooms are basic but with a deck and a view of the water, it is hard to beat. The food is good, freshly cooked to order and very reasonable. But above all, is the management. Their attention to details, ready to help, getting your ferry tickets for the return trip and arranging transportation both from the inn to the ferry and from Banda Aceh to the airport.
And there is the snorkeling, very nice just in front of the inn and both sides of Rubiah Island which are easily accessible from the inn.
We are determined to return!

It's a city',,that belongs in another world,,you have to look an talk to the locals,,AN be yourself,,dress the way you normally do,,you don't have to follow the dress code of the locals ,,the ones under 40 all live by the internet ,an they WANT to know you,,,outside of the city the country side is WOW,,
Oh if you like a beer,,you will fine the place to drink!!.

Amazing to see the city redeveloped after the drastic tsunami.The difference can be seen ,how much the government has made to redevelope and not leaving anything including a Indian temple demolished during tsunami,in Kedah area.

GOVINTHAN,Malaysia

Aceh is very religious but the religion is less arrogant and less disturbing than in Malaysia. The people in Aceh are very friendly.

Next to the tsunamimuseum is a century old Dutch graveyard that is worth a visit.

For a blend of culture and history on a people who have just recently under gone such a calamity and how they have rebuild the whole system and town is an amazing experience.

Chang,Malaysia

Aceh is very small and sleepy compared to Jakarta and was a welcome change. The people are friendly, some of the restaurants hard to find, and some of the roadworks an accident waiting to happen, but considering the devastation of 9 years ago it is doing well.

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More about Aceh

Established in 1250AD, the city of Banda Aceh lies on the westernmost point of the Indonesian archipelago. The city is greatly influenced by the Islamic lifestyle and is said to be one of the oldest regions to embrace the religion. It is believed that it was in this region that Islam was introduced to Southeast Asia. In 2004, a devastating tsunami swept away and inundated 60% of the town’s infrastructure, including some of the heritage buildings. Aceh has bounced back since then with a fresh, new look that maintains the cultural heritage of the land.

After landing at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, a range of sites and activities are waiting to be explored. Some of the most notable would be those related to the tsunami of 2004. The Aceh Tsunami Museum commemorates the memory of those lost and serves as an educational center and emergency disaster shelter in the case of another major natural disaster. While exploring the town, be on the lookout for an inhabited house with a deserted boat on its roof. Although it could have been removed, it has been left there in remembrance of the tragic event as well as the 59 lives said to have been saved by the boat. There are quite a few historic sites that survived the disaster and stand ready for exploration. The Grand Mosque of Baiturrahman and the mausoleum of Sultan Iskandar Muda are well worth a visit, and the Kerkhoff Dutch Cemetery – the second largest Dutch soldier cemetery outside Holland – takes you back to the Aceh War of the late 1800s. Grabbing a camera and strolling the streets, making a stop at the central market, and browsing the cuisines and souvenirs are but a few more of the experiences to be had in Aceh.

Find the most suitable accommodation for you by clicking on our interactive map and exploring Aceh for hotels and must-see destinations.